Does Kinesio Taping Enhance Exercise Performance and Recovery in Healthy Males Under Heat Stress?

The purpose of this study was to compare blood flow and exercise performance in high-temperature environments with Kinesio taping. Ten heathy men performed a Bruce treadmill test until volitional fatigue in a heated environment (35 °C, 50% relative humidity), with (KTC) and without Kinesio taping (UTC). Blood flow (BF), maximal oxygen uptake (VOmax), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate (BL) were measured at baseline, after 30 min of acclimation, during treadmill exercise, and after 30 min of recovery. Baseline and resting measurements of BF, VOmax, HR, and BL were similar between conditions ( > 0.05). The results revealed no significant differences in any variables between conditions ( > 0.05), except for BF. BF was significantly higher in the KTC compared to the UTC during exercise ( < 0.05). VO, HR, and BL significantly increased during exercise, immediately post-exercise, 10 min post-exercise, and 30 min post-exercise compared to baseline in both KTC and UTC conditions (all < 0.05). When Kinesio tape was applied, BF significantly increased during and after exercise. However, VO, HR, and BL did not differ between conditions. These results showed no evidence that Kinesio tape improves exercise performance or recovery in heat conditions.